RESOLUTION ORDERING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE SOUTHBOUND LANE OF EKLUND
AVENUE AT SWAN LAKE ROAD FOR A PERIOD OF 60 DAYSSIX MONTHS.

BY COUNCILOR JOHNSON:

RESOLVED, that the city council of the city of Duluth directs the public
works and utilities department to physically close the southbound lane of
Eklund Avenue at Swan Lake Road for a period of 60 dayssix months, the exact time and
location to be determined by appropriate city personnel.

In 2006, the metropolitan interstate council (MIC) was approached and asked to
study the problem of cut-through traffic in the Duluth Heights neighborhood
and identify solutions to lessen the impact on the neighborhood. Their final
report was published in August, 2006 (Duluth Heights Traffic Circulation
Study), and made several recommendations. The long term recommendation in
this study was to construct the Duluth Heights connector between Joshua Avenue
and Arrowhead Road, with an estimated implementation schedule of 2011 to 2016.
Traffic calming in the form of half or full closures at Eklund Avenue (half
closure, 2007), Maple Grove Road east of Joshua Avenue (half closure, 2008)
and Ideal Street west of Foster Avenue (full closure, 2008) were recommended
as short-term solutions. These traffic calming devices were reviewed by the
Duluth transit authority, Duluth public schools, and city of Duluth planning,
engineering and fire department staff.

This closure will be done with temporary barriers for a period of 60 dayssix months,
allowing time for drivers to change their driving patterns. After this
initial period, the effectiveness will be measured to determine if the road
should be opened back up to traffic or if a new resolution should be prepared
for the council to consider extending the half closure until the Duluth
Heights connector is built.